Evetts to front ITV2's "Popstars" coverage

Hayley Evetts and Dane Bowers are to present ITV2's extended coverage of Popstars: The Rivals.

Evetts, who has previously reported for This Morning, made it to the final 5 in Pop Idol and the final 30 in the original Popstars series.

"I am so happy to be part of what is a TV phenomenon," she said. "Having been involved in Popstars and Pop Idol, I think I have a unique insight into this fantastic event and can help ease some of the singers’ tensions.

"Being behind the scenes this time round, I hope to give the performers some sound advice or a shoulder to cry on. And I can’t wait to start work on the show with Dane, it’s going to be huge!"

Bowers, a solo artist and former singer with RnB group Another Level, has credits including MTV, SM:tv and CD:UK.

"I’m really looking forward to being involved in Popstars: The Rivals, and working with Hayley," he said. "And I’m particularly interested in finding out first hand what the contestants are like and what they really think about each other!"

The pair will front Popstars: The Rivals Extra, which will air live on Saturday evenings after the main ITV1 show. Initially, the programmes will provide extended coverage of the auditions process, but later in the series will come from the two Popstars houses where the shortlisted finalists will live. The programme will also feature video diaries made by the finalists themselves in which they reveal "all of their hopes, fears, clashes, and expectations as the competition progresses."

Daniela Neuman, ITV2's head of programming, said: "This is a great double signing for ITV2. With Hayley and Dane fronting our exclusive shows, we’ll be offering viewers an exciting dimension to the Popstars: The Rivals experience."